Legal Definition of Used Oil	Used oil means any oil that has been refined from crude, or any synthetic oil, that has been used, and, as a result of use or as a consequence of extended storage, or spillage, has been contaminated with physical or chemical impurities.
The True Facts Regarding Used Oil: An Asset or a Liability Whether used oil proves to be an asset or a liability for a particular company or individual generator will depend to a large degree on how that company or individual manages the used oil. The oil itself certainly has value. It should be an asset. It has value as fuel and as feedstock for the production of lubricating oils that are, in many cases, equal in quality to lubricants produced from virgin oil. Of course, the dollar value of used oil is, like that of any commodity, subject to market forces. Probably the most important thing that you, the generator, can do to determine whether your used oil is an asset or a liability is to know where your waste goes and what becomes of it. Because of the Superfund statute and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the old adage "ignorance is bliss" will not insulate an individual or a company from civil --and in extreme cases, criminal--liability. You must manage your used oil so that, to the extent that the market permits, it will remain an asset or, if the market should decline, you are positioned to minimize the potential 'liability" to the cost of legitimate disposal Legitimate disposal sill help assure that your liability will not extend to the cost of cleaning up a poluted site. Be sure that your waste oil is not contaminated with any hazardous substance and that it enters the management system and is recycled in accordance with all applicable regulations. Please remember the facts are: Congress gave the EPA absolute power to deal with hazardous wastes and the EPA can compel anyone who had anything to do with bringing wastes to a Superfund site to participate in the cost of the cleanup. That necessarily includes the waste oil hauler, as well as all of the hauler's customers. This is why testing and a management program are necessary for any generator of used oil.
EPA	Environmental Protection Agency
RCRA	Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
PRP	Potentially Responsible Parties
CERCLA (Superfund)	"Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act" more commonly known as "Superfund"
DOT	Department of Transportation
EPA Licensed Hauler	The company that serves as a transporter of used oil
EPA Treatment Facility	Facility licensed by EPA to treat waste streams
EPA Hazardous Facility	Facility licensed to treat toxic chemicals
Transfer Facility	EPA 271.1 law. Storage area for non-hazardous hydrocarbons.-90 day limit
MSDS	Material Safety Data Sheets. All product must have a MSDS. Tells the facts about the product - (base oil + hazardous components)
Generator	The company or person who generates the used oil
Hydrocarbons	Oil is mostly hydrogen and carbon (Humans are hydrocarbon units.
API	American Petroleum Institute-Rating Service
SAE	Society of Automotive Engineers-Rating Service
ASTM	American Society of Tests and Measurements
Gravity	Density-Weight per gallon
Viscosity	Resistance to flow-thickness
Flash Point	Point at which product begins to flash
B S and W	Bottom Sediments and Water
Heavy Metals	Insolubles in oil. Some can make oil hazardous such as Lead-100 ppm maximum.
Detex	Material used to test oil for water
Dexcil Test	Kit used to test oil for halogens content percentage
Water Soluble Oil	Oil designed to combine with water. Mostly used as a cutting or grinding fluid. Brown or milky in color-Must go to a treatment facility-over 70% water
Mineral Oil	Conventional oils, base stocks, hydrocarbons
Excel Daily Route Sheet	Serves as a multiple pick up manifest
Waste Stream Receipt	Receipt for waste stream pick up
Polymerization	Incompatible hydrocarbons (OLEFINICS) or waste stream that creates gums or a solid mass
Industrial Boiler	Boiler used to create steam for industrial purposes
Solvent	Compound used to cut grease, oil, dirt to clean. Some are hazardous.
Mineral Spirits	Can be hazardous. Used to clean or as part of industrial process. Must be over 141° F flash point. (See MSDS)
NORA	National Oil Recyclers Association